Objective: To evaluate the influence of vaginal Lactoferrin administration on amniotic fluid concentration of 47 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors.

60 women undergoing genetic amniocentesis will be enrolled at the Obstetric Unit, University of Ferrara. The selected patients will be randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of vaginal Lactoferrin to obtain 3 groups: A, 20 untreated patients; B and C (20 patients each one) respectively treated 4 and 12 h before amniocentesis. Cytokines, chemokines and growth factors concentrations will be quantified by a magnetic bead Luminex multiplex immunoassays panel technology.

Amniotic fluid samples will be obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis and the sample not required for clinical purposes will be centrifuged to remove particulate material and the supernatants will be aliquoted and stored at -80°C until assay.

Inclusion Criteria:

• singleton physiological pregnancy;
• maternal age as the only indication to foetal karyotyping

Exclusion Criteria:

• assumption of drugs interfering with the immune system;
• previous miscarriages;
• pregnancy at risk for maternal or foetal disease;
• lactose intolerance.